Teacher Leaders' Agency in Professional Learning

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 39
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Leaders (Re)Imagining Professional Learning Opportunities

Abstract

This study explores the case of two teacher leaders who initiated and maintained a collaborative professional learning practice called lesson study. Applying Emirbayer and Mische’s (1998) temporal, multidimensional framework of agency, we investigate how teacher leaders who place a high value on teacher-driven, professional learning exercise agency while interacting with outside experts during lesson study. We find that in such interactions, teachers used their agency to increase the agency of the peers, helping them realize alternative possibilities of action via expert input. However, the parameters of those possibilities were framed within the leaders’ specific values and goals and balanced with their assessment of teachers’ and students’ immediate learning needs.

Authors

• Cassie Howard, Florida State University

• Motoko Akiba, Florida State University

• Aki Murata, University of Florida

• Judith Fabrega, University of Florida